Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1887-01-13

l}Wef IN tne tWes|efn stalcS anu teIfl-
! tories, than IN the eastern states. In the
total population of New England, 4,0l0,-
629; tho average of insanity is one to
every 359 The total population of the
middle states is 10, ,s78; average of in
sanity, one to every 424. The total pop
uiation Of the interior states is l3, ,O9l ATT;
average of insanity, one to every 6lO.
The total population OF the northwest
ern states is 8, ,s53, ,sSC; average ofinsanity,
one to every $50, aud in the western
states and territories, the population IS
72s, ,999 and the average of insanity is one
to every 1853, In Dakota, however,
the average Is considerably less than in
the aggregate of the territories, being
one lnsau5 person to every 1873.
1t will be seen that the ratio of lnsan-
lty decreases west of New England; still
| it increases in Dakota with the increase
of population 1t is en- interesting and
noted fact that the colored race has much
less insanity than the white. It will be
remembered that the amount asked for
in our last report was considerably cut
down by the legislative committees, and
still further reduced on its passage,
which has greatly iIessencd the useful
ness OF the hospital and its capacity.
After careful consideration of esti-
mates, made by the superintendent and
architect, to provide for the increase of
patients, during the next two years and
six months, the trustees have come to the
conclusion that the hospital will have to
be 50 enlarged as to have capacity for
four hundred patients. 1t is safe to say
that there will be that maay to provide
for before the legislature meets in 1889.
THE REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT,
To the board of trustees says, In view of
the successful WORK thus far accom-
plished, and under adverse circumstances,
owing to limited appropriations, the
first chapter in the history of the hospital
has been, at least, creditable."
"1hls institution was opene1 and re-
ceived its first two patients from Morton
county, May lst, 1885. There have been
admitted since that time one hundred and
seventy-four. The total number under
treatment has been one hundred and sey.
enty-slx. There were discharged during
the biennial period thlrty-three patients,
and SIX have died and one escaped, leav-
ing in the asylum, November S0th, 1886,
one hundred and thirty six inmates
The institution is now completely aud
satisfactorily lighted throughout by
means of the Ed son 1ncandesceut system
of electric light. AS regards safety, it is
certainly the very best means Of illumina-
ton in an institution Of this character,
where, as may readily be seen, the danger
from the use of coal oil, or even gas, is
very great Thus far the light has proven
entirely satisfactory. Every building
is brilliantly lighted by it, as we'll as the
grounds, in the immediate vicinity of the
hospital.
THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE.
The superintendent says further in his
report: 81. is modest estimate to allow,
IN the next three years, an increase of
twenty-five per cent of inmates over the
admissions of last year, which would
make one hundred and six new admis-
sons for next year. Taking this as the
probable per cent, there would be an In
crease of fully four hundred and eleven
patients, or five hundred and forty-seven
inmates in all. Estimating the discharges
at forty the first year, fifty the second,
and sixty five the third, or one hundred
and fifty five in all, we should still have
an average of over three hundred and
ninety seven to care for. Some provision
should be made by the next Legislature
for this natural sad inevitable increase
Unless some such steps as herein sug-
gested are taken by our next legislature,
we shall find ourselves utterly unable to
care for the four hundred patients who